Chapter 68

So when those old carriages slowly drove to a place not far from the city, all they saw was the tightly closed city gates - there was not even a trace of the guards on the city walls.

Of course, there were people up there, but they were watching these people through the holes above, their weapons still hanging. If anything unexpected happened, they would not show any mercy, as protecting Fengyi was their mission.

The refugees outside the city had been taken to the northern boundary of the city in advance, so they couldn't be seen by simply walking along the road. The debris piled on both sides also prevented these people from taking the bypass road to other entrances and exits.

Nan Xun even used the newly brought catapult to move the stones to the cleared path leading into the mountain. Unless someone with supernatural powers came along, no one could take the path to other directions of Fengyi.

As for the north - if someone really wants to come from there, the people of Fengyi can only let the enemy fend for themselves. If there is a vibration in the collapsed area, rocks or earth will fall from time to time. It is impossible for those people to get through since they can only stay on the carriage and cannot walk.

However, the driver did not seem to want to give up. After realizing that there was no one outside the city, he simply stopped at the city gate and drove those who were only breathing their last breath out of the car. He did not leave himself, but instead took out something and set it on fire.

Nan Xun stood where he could clearly see the movements of these people, watching the gray-black smoke rising straight into the clouds.

*

Most of the families around Wen Yi have stored food and other supplies, so it is no problem for them to hold on for a while.

The nobles didn't care at all, but the difference was that there were always some people in their families who had a very difficult time surviving. They could only barely make ends meet, and when they were extremely hungry, they would take risks and get some food when the guards were not strict.

When going out, it is inevitable to come into contact with people, and all the servants live in the same courtyard. If one person is infected, the entire mansion will quickly fall.

Not to mention that many of the people who were working had families outside, and many people went to meet them because they were worried that they had no food to eat, which brought disaster to each other.

Wen Yi even suspected that many people had already entered the city before that day, otherwise it would be impossible for those few people to plunge the entire city into chaos. Since those people were able to bring these people to the city gate, they naturally had a way to infiltrate those who were less seriously ill into the group and send them into the city.

After these people entered the city, they were like drops of water mixed into the ocean, and no one could separate them out.

Although Changyu was prosperous, many people collapsed in the corners every day. No one paid attention to their symptoms, and most of their belongings were taken away by patrolling soldiers or familiar people. After all, even worn-out items could be exchanged for some money, and at the very least, cleaning them could save some money.

Hearing the noise outside, I knew that many people had simply abandoned their homes and fled the city. I guess the city gates would not be closed for a few days. I just didn't know if anyone would take the opportunity to cause trouble at that time. After all, this matter was full of conspiracy from the beginning.

Although it does not appear in various records today, Wen Yi still remembers that there was once a nomadic people who abandoned sick livestock upstream of the river, causing several cities downstream to be infected with the disease, and used this method to capture these cities with extremely complete defenses.

Therefore, before entering most cities, burning and fumigation methods are used to eliminate insects and prevent epidemics.

There are indeed examples of quarantines of infected individuals, but the poor cannot survive in the mountains, and the wealthy are unwilling to endure hardship and don't care if their servants get infected. Conversely, areas outside of cities are more capable of implementing more appropriate quarantines when encountering these epidemics.

Thinking that Fengyi should be ready by now, Wen Yi nodded. Fengyi was still some distance away, and the people behind it probably didn't have enough manpower and resources to send infected people to all the cities at once as a source of infection.

In addition, the surrounding area was not safe and there had been arson incidents before. The city gate originally did not allow anyone to pass through except those with seals. After the refugees outside the city were taken to other places, there was no place that could be easily broken through.

In addition, many rodents carry different diseases on their fur, and if you are not careful, you will be infected. Caravans from Pingyi and other places will also pay attention to this when purchasing.

The situation outside these days is unknown, and it seems not to be good. Even Meng Xi and others who occasionally send messages have lost contact. I don’t know whether someone has come to visit or if there is a problem with his subordinates.

"Is there anything unusual today?"

Wen Yi asked Dao Cheng who came from behind. He didn't look serious, so it seemed that there was no bad news.

"Nothing unusual at the moment. I've had the doctor check on Ah Qi this morning. He's just having trouble acclimatizing to the new climate, and he doesn't have any similar symptoms."

The Aqi he mentioned was the guy who came with him this time. He had just come out of the medical clinic in Pingyi some time ago and also took this position. Unexpectedly, he fell ill as soon as he arrived in Changyu.

I was a bit nervous at first, but I quickly isolated him. I'm feeling much better now, and since I haven't come into contact with those weirdos, I just need a little recuperation. After eating this morning, I looked pretty much the same as when I left, full of energy. But I'm still being held down by a few people for a few days of rest.

People who have never been to the south may find it difficult to adapt to the climate and water resources here, but it will take some time to adapt.

Wen Yi nodded, it would be best if nothing happened.

"If you still have some free time after learning martial arts, I remember that you used to work under Nanxun, so I'll ask a few accountants to teach you. It's always good to know more things." She can also learn to manage her own accounts. She knows that many people don't know how to calculate their half-day salary. If they don't have food and accommodation, they may have to starve.

She casually pulled out a few booklets and handed them over. These were basic books revised by He Xuan and others. They always brought the latest versions with them whenever they went out. Wen Yi didn't need them herself, so giving them to Dao Cheng and others was a way to make the best use of them.

Usually this group of people are on the road and have no free time. Even if they take the time to buy books, there is no one to guide them. Even those who love reading the most often read behind closed doors.

It's easy to think too much if I stay here and do nothing. I should find something to do over there to distract my attention, so that I won't become suspicious before I get sick.

Dao Cheng carefully took the book handed to him by Wen Yi, responded and returned to the backyard.

The martial law in Changyu City lasted for five days. Before dawn on the sixth day, several loud noises were heard, waking up everyone who was not sleeping deeply.

Wen Yi also sat up subconsciously, quickly put on a coat, walked out of the house, and looked out from the yard.

The noises continued, but no light could be seen. After careful analysis, they must have come from farther away, muffled even by thunder. It was impossible to determine what had happened. Even if they climbed up to investigate, they would have to wait until daybreak, otherwise they wouldn't be able to see anything clearly. Wen Yi sent the people who had come out back to rest, and then he himself returned to the house.

Everyone could only suppress their thoughts and reluctantly lie back down, but no one could tell how many people could actually fall asleep.

Outside the city.

Many people even huddled under trees or in dug holes. Some were still mumbling something, while others were unconscious.

In the far distance, one can see a flag made of a completely different material from the ones in Changyu or the north. There are no words on it, only a lingering totem.

The noise had come from here. Rolling logs and rocks were still being pushed down the mountain, blocking the path for those moving along the valley below. It was still dark, and those traveling below were relying on torches for light. After a moment of confusion, they realized that the torches were also targets for the ambushers, so they extinguished them and tried to leave the area in the dark.

If they could see the faces of the people in the mountains clearly, they would find that these people looked different from them. Only those in the caravans coming from the border had guys with similar facial features.

Human trafficking is a common business nowadays, and some good-looking "goods" can fetch profits of dozens or even hundreds of times.

Many defeated tribes would be sold as commodities by the victors to serve as labor, and some of the most good-looking ones would be deliberately kept and presented to the local tyrants.

The human trade in the city is managed by the city government, just like copper and iron products. Except for some forged farm tools, it will not be handed over to ordinary people, but the city government turns a blind eye to the trafficked foreigners.

"Those who are dying of illness are sent to various places?"

A one-eyed man was riding on a horse. Although he had grown a beard deliberately, the color could not be concealed.

The tone of his voice was deliberately slowed down, but the malice within it could not be concealed. The people around him curled their lips, and although they were somewhat dissatisfied, they naturally did not speak out loud at this time and just nodded.

The range illuminated by the torch was extremely limited, so even if some expressions were made, they would not be noticed. Some people who already disliked this person did not hide their dissatisfaction.

If this man hadn't injured his eyes, he might have become the king's lover by now. You know, the current king is very good-looking and always brings some "souvenirs" with him when he goes out. But only this man can follow him out, and their king even obeys this man's strategies.

The one-eyed man couldn't see their expressions, but he knew what they were going to look like. Fortunately, he was still somewhat useful, which allowed him to gradually climb up from the lowest position.

Even though he had relied on his own abilities, seeing someone who was once of low status and inferior to him rise to such a high position was more painful than anything else. Many of his subordinates were still dissatisfied with this man being able to steal the show in front of the king, but since he had made great contributions this time, they could only nod their heads, indicating that everything was proceeding as planned.

"That's... very good."

He looked at Changyu City from afar. Naturally, he would not go there at the moment, but he sent people with bows and arrows to stand on the top of the hill to eliminate those who left from the north at night, which helped to calm some of his anger.

There is no rush. Just collect some interest. When this epidemic is over, even if there are still some forces left in the city, they will be unable to resist the elite cavalry under my command.

To this day, he still cannot forget the humiliation he suffered back then. Now that he finally has the chance to take revenge on those merchants and the pretentious leader, the pent-up anger in his heart is burning again, and he even wants to raze the entire city where he was once forced to survive.

The moment he escaped, he swore to repay all the humiliation he had suffered.

But now is not the time, and Wang will not believe something that is not in his favor. Instead, it will waste all the credit and trust he has accumulated with great difficulty.

The king's target was naturally not only Changyu City. In fact, he originally planned to capture Fengyi, which was further north. He even sent people to burn the granary there first. However, he did not expect that group of people would react so quickly. Something happened in his rear, which gave the one-eyed man the opportunity to offer advice.

Even those who originally liked to kill people found this method vicious, but no one could deny that it was effective.

No rush.

He has plenty of time.

He just hoped that those people he wanted to meet would be luckier and could hold on until he could meet them, otherwise it would be too easy for them.